Nepali tour operators selling packages said they were forced to cancel around 50 percent of the booking because of the new provision. [break]
Operators said the Chinese government was delaying the permit by 4/5 days which not only caused the operators additional cost of accommodation their clients in Kathmandu but also has added new hassle for the smooth operation.
According to Association of Kailash Tour Operators of Nepal (AKTON), the business for this season (May-September) would be down by as much as 50 percent compared to same period last year.
“ Since we have sold the package, tourists are not willing to pay extra for the delays caused by the permit,” one of the operators said adding the delay was creating negative impression as the 15-days long journey has to be shortened to 10 days.
Under the new provision for Tibet Travel Permit (TTP), travelers should have a minimum group size of five and of same nationality. There is also restriction on age limit, barring visitors above 65 years. The permit which came without pre-notice at the beginning of the season caused the cancellation of 50 percent as most of the travelers were above 65 and unwilling to travel in unfamiliar group.
One of the officials at AKTON said the Chinese government has also stopped them from carrying LPG cylinder, fruits and vegetables making them difficult to serve the food for travelers. “We are confused weather to take the booking or not in situation like this,” he said.
According to AKTON, tour operators were not comfortable with the present situation and said it was kind of a harassment which was discouraging visitors. “We really don´t think any operator will be interested to continue business under such conditions,” the official said.
The cancellation of the package not only cuts down profits of tour operators but also hit tourism industry as tourists coming under such package spend at least 4-5 days in Nepal. Tourism entrepreneurs considers this segment as important business as they come during lean period.
The 15 days package which starts from Rs 136,000 attracts many Indian pilgrims.
Although tourism entrepreneurs have asked the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to resolve the issue, nothing has happened so far. NTB spokesperson Aditya Baral said, “We have requested Tourism Ministry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find out the reasons for the strictness on the permit but the reply from the Chinese side has not been received yet.”
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